County reviews site and long-term lease options for proposed Penacook Rescue facility

MERRIMACK COUNTY — County Administrator Ross Dunninghain briefed commissioners on proposals from Penacook Rescue to build a response facility on county-owned land near the boat launch and garden area.

Dunninghain told the board Penacook Rescue's board has given conceptual approval to move forward and that three layout options were developed; "option 1 is probably the most palatable" because it reduces building height and limits traffic impacts. The preferred site would be leased long term to the private rescue organization, with an exit clause for the county and proposed lease revenue to the county.

Commissioners raised questions about whether the county would need delegation approval for a long-term lease, tax implications for the town of Boscawen and the project’s operational impacts, including an estimated seven-minute response time to Canterbury from the proposed site. Dunninghain said funding strategies are still being identified and that the rescue organization would absorb initial design and preliminary engineering costs.

Board members asked staff to vet lease language, tax treatment, delegation approval requirements and long-term risks to county property. Dunninghain said staff would continue outreach to involved towns and bring additional detail — including funding and lease terms — back to the board, and suggested discussing the project during the March budget process if it develops further.

Next steps: Staff will continue negotiations with Penacook Rescue and study legal/financial details of any long-term lease before commissioners commit to a binding agreement.